JP7792682B2 - Drug supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drug supply device.

Patent Publication No. 2011-78598 (Patent Document 1) is a prior document disclosing the configuration of an automatic medicine supply device. The automatic medicine supply device described in Patent Document 1 comprises a storage unit, a medicine picking unit, a box moving mechanism, and a tray mounting base. The storage unit is configured to allow multiple boxes for storing medicines to be arranged in an array. The medicine picking unit loads and unloads medicines from the boxes. The box moving mechanism is configured to allow the boxes to move between the storage unit and the medicine picking unit. The storage unit is located on the front side of the device, and the box moving mechanism is located on the back side of the device. A tray for storing medicines removed from the boxes is placed on the tray mounting base.

JP 2011-78598 A

If the box moving mechanism is driven vertically or horizontally while the box is shifted backward from its specified position in the storage section, the box and the box moving mechanism may come into contact, potentially damaging at least one of the box and the box moving mechanism that come into contact with each other.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a medicine supply device that can reduce damage caused by contact between a case positioned off-center in the storage section and a transport unit.

A medicine supply device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a case rack, a mounting section, and a transport unit. The case rack stores a plurality of cases containing medicines. The mounting section is capable of mounting a selected case from the plurality of cases and is provided for loading and unloading medicines from the selected case. The transport unit transports the selected case between the case rack and the mounting section. The plurality of cases are arranged along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction in the case rack. The case rack is configured so that the plurality of cases can be manually loaded and unloaded from the front of the case rack. The case rack is provided with stoppers that regulate the front-to-rear position of each of the plurality of cases when each of the plurality of cases is loaded into the case rack from the front, and guards that prevent each of the plurality of cases from climbing over the stoppers.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the guard is configured to allow the selected case stored in the case rack to pass over the stopper when the transport unit pulls the selected case out toward the rear of the case rack.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the guard is configured to be displaceable between a first position that prevents each of the multiple cases from climbing over the stopper, and a second position that allows a selected case to pass over the stopper.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the guard is configured to be able to pivot forward from the first position, in which it is positioned in a hanging state, to the second position.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the guard has an abutment surface that can abut against each of the multiple cases from above. The abutment surface is inclined so that it is positioned higher as it moves forward when the guard is in the first position.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport unit displaces the guard from the first position to the second position when pulling a selected case stored in the case rack toward the rear of the case rack.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport unit has an abutment portion that abuts against the guard. When the transport unit pulls a selected case stored in the case rack toward the rear of the case rack, the abutment portion abuts against the guard to displace the selected case to the second position, and then the transport unit pulls the selected case toward the rear of the case rack.

A medicine supply device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a case rack, a mounting section, a transport unit, and a control section. The case rack stores a plurality of cases containing medicines. The mounting section is capable of mounting a selected case from the plurality of cases and is provided for loading and unloading medicines into and from the selected case. The transport unit transports the selected case between the case rack and the mounting section. The control section controls the driving of the transport unit. The plurality of cases are arranged at specified positions along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction in the case rack. The case rack is configured so that the plurality of cases can be manually loaded and unloaded from the front of the case rack. The case rack is provided with a position detection section that detects whether each of the plurality of cases is located behind the specified position. When the position detection section detects the presence of a case among the plurality of cases that is located behind the specified position, the control section stops the vertical and horizontal driving of the transport unit.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the position detection unit detects whether each of the multiple cases is located behind the specified position by transmitting and receiving light that passes behind the specified position.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the position detection units are arranged along the vertical or horizontal arrangement of the multiple cases.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the position detection unit includes a photoelectric sensor and a reflector. The photoelectric sensor includes an irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the reflector, and a light receiving unit that receives the light reflected from the reflector.

This invention can reduce damage caused by contact between a case positioned out of its specified position in the storage section and the transport unit.

1 is a perspective view of a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above on the front side; FIG. 2 is a front view of the medicine supply device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a side view of the medicine supply device of FIG. 1 as viewed from the right side. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the drug supply device of FIG. 1. 1 is a perspective view of a medicine supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above on the rear side. 1 is a perspective view of the medicine supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention, seen from above on the rear side, showing a state in which a transport unit has moved above a placement unit. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a case according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a case body according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a case body according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. 1 is a perspective view of the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, seen from above on the front side, with a mounting portion pulled out. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the periphery of a mounting portion of a dispensing table unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above on the front side. 1 is a perspective view of the mounting section and its periphery according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below on the rear side. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing table unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from above, with a placing section removed. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the mounting portion of FIG. 11 as viewed from the direction of the arrows along line XIV-XIV. FIG. 2 is a side view of the dispensing table unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a placing section is pulled out. FIG. 10 is a side view of the dispensing table unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a selection case has been removed from a drawn-out mounting section. 10 is a perspective view of the conveying unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front, with the claws retracted. FIG. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the state of FIG. 17 as seen from the direction of arrow XVIII. 1 is a perspective view of a conveying unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the front, with the claws of the conveying unit in an advanced position. FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the transport unit of FIG. 19 as viewed in the direction of arrow XX. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a selection case stored in a case rack. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the two-tier shelf portion. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a stopper and a guard. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of a stopper and a guard. FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the configuration of the stopper and the guard. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the stopper and guard of FIG. 25 as viewed from the direction of the arrows along line XXVI-XXVI. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a selection case stored in a case rack. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a state in which the claw portion of the transport unit located behind the selected case stored in the case rack is advanced. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a transport unit located behind a selected case stored in a case rack, with the claw portion rotated to rise. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the claw portion engaged with the inner surface of the engagement portion of the selection case is retracted. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the transport unit seen from the front in a state in which the claws engaged with the inner surfaces of the engagement portions of the selection case have finished retracting. FIG. FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the transport unit of FIG. 31 as viewed from the direction of arrow XXXII. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the pair of support arms positioned at the retracted position. 34 is a side view of the pair of support arms of FIG. 33 in a retracted position, as viewed from the direction of arrow XXXIV. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control circuit included in the medicine supply device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of the transport unit when transporting one selected case placed on one of the placement sections to the case rack in the medicine supply device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a transport unit transports a selected case containing a drug to be supplied that is included in first prescription data to a loading section in an example of the drug supply device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the transport unit transports another selection case containing another drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data to another loading section in an example of the drug supply device according to the present embodiment. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the transport unit sequentially transports selected cases containing drugs to be supplied that are included in second prescription data to a specific placement unit in an example of the drug supply device according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a transport unit transports a selected case containing a drug to be supplied, which is included in the first prescription data, from a placement section to a case rack in an example of a drug supply device according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which, in an example of a medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the transport unit transports another selected case containing another medicine to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data from another loading section to the case rack. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a transport unit transports a selected case containing a drug to be supplied that is included in first prescription data to a loading section in a first modified example of the drug supply device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the transport unit transports another selection case containing another drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data to another loading section in the first modified example of the drug supply device according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the transport unit sequentially transports selected cases containing medicines to be supplied that are included in second prescription data to the specific mounting section in the first modified example of the medicine supply device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a transport unit transports a selected case containing a drug to be supplied, which is included in first prescription data, from a placement section to a case rack in a first modified example of the drug supply device according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the transport unit transports another selected case containing another drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data from another loading section to the case rack in the first modified example of the drug supply device according to this embodiment. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of a display on a touch panel of the medicine supply device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a power supply system diagram of the medicine supply device according to the present embodiment. 4 is an electrical circuit diagram of a portion including a first open/close detector and a relay in the medicine supply device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a safety ensuring operation performed by a control unit while a transport unit is being driven in the medicine supply device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a rear view of a case rack of a second modified example of the medicine supply device according to the embodiment. 52 is a side view of the case rack of FIG. 51 as seen from the direction of arrow LII.

A medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the same or equivalent parts in the drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. Note that in this specification, the left-right direction is described as the direction when the medicine supply device is viewed from the front side. The front of the medicine supply device may also be referred to as the front side, and the back of the medicine supply device may also be referred to as the rear side.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above the front side. Figure 2 is a front view of the medicine supply device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the medicine supply device of Figure 1, viewed from the right side. Figure 4 is a rear view of the medicine supply device of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above the rear side. Figures 3 and 5 show the state in which the right side panel of the dispensing table unit has been removed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a medicine supply device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a dispensing table unit 100, a case rack 200, and a transport unit 400. In this embodiment, two case racks 200 are arranged side by side on the left side of the dispensing table unit 100 when viewed from the front, but the arrangement of the dispensing table unit 100 and the case racks 200 is not limited to this. Multiple case racks 200 may be arranged on either side of the dispensing table unit 100, or one case rack 200 may be arranged on either the left or right side of the dispensing table unit 100. In this way, the dispensing table unit 100 is arranged adjacent to the case rack 200 in the left-right direction.

The case rack 200 stores multiple cases 300 that contain medications. The case rack 200 is a first storage section and stores the first medication. The first storage section may also store a medicine box that stores the first medication. The first medication includes various medications. The case rack 200 is configured so that the multiple cases 300 can be manually inserted and removed from the front of the case rack 200.

The case rack 200 includes a housing 210, a shelf section 220, a workbench 230, an opening/closing door 240 (opening/closing section), a first opening/closing detector 251, a second opening/closing detector 250, and a locking section 260. The multiple shelf sections 220 are arranged at the front side of the interior of the housing 210, spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction. Multiple cases 300 are placed side by side in the horizontal direction on each of the multiple shelf sections 220. The multiple cases 300 are arranged at specified positions in the case rack 200 along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.

In this embodiment, the front side of the housing 210 is divided in the vertical direction into an upper region located above the dispensing stand 120 (described below), and a lower region located below the dispensing stand 120. However, the front side of the housing 210 does not necessarily have to be divided into an upper region and a lower region.

The workbench 230 is located in front of the case rack 200 and is used to load and unload medicines into and from multiple cases 300. The workbench 230 is configured to allow trays (not shown) and cases 300 that can store medicines to be placed on it. The workbench 230 does not necessarily have to be installed.

As shown in Figure 3, the workbench 230 is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it protrudes forward from the front surface of the case rack 200, and a second state in which it is positioned rearward from the front surface of the case rack 200. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the case rack 200 is formed with a storage space S230 for storing the workbench 230. In the second state, the workbench 230 is stored in the storage space S230.

In this embodiment, the workbench 230 can be pushed into the storage space S230 and can be pulled out from the storage space S230. The workbench 230 is configured to be able to be pulled out toward the front of the housing 210. The workbench 230 includes a push-open mechanism 231 that urges the workbench 230 to move forward when the front surface of the workbench 230 is pressed. Note that the configuration of the workbench 230 is not limited to the above, and it may also be configured, for example, to move in and out in the front-to-back direction by rotating around a rotation axis.

The workbench 230 is positioned between the upper and lower areas of the housing 210. As shown in FIG. 2, the case rack 200 is divided into multiple sections PLU, PRU, PLD, and PRD. Section PLU is the upper left section of the case rack 200. Section PRU is the upper right section of the case rack 200. Section PLD is the lower left section of the case rack 200. Section PRD is the lower right section of the case rack 200.

The multiple opening/closing doors 240 are arranged in front of the housing 210 and are configured to be able to open and close the front side of the housing 210. Each of the multiple opening/closing doors 240 is capable of opening and closing the front of the case rack 200. The multiple opening/closing doors 240 are capable of individually opening and closing the multiple partitions PLU, PRU, PLD, and PRD. Specifically, a pair of opening/closing doors 240 is provided in each of the upper and lower regions of the housing 210. The opening/closing doors 240 are configured to be able to open and close in the left-right direction while folding back. In Figures 1 and 2, the right opening/closing door 240 is not shown when viewed from the front.

The opening/closing door 240 is configured to be switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state. Specifically, the locking unit 260 locks the opening/closing door 240 in the closed state. The locking unit 260 is electrically connected to the control unit, which will be described later. A plurality of locking units 260 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of opening/closing doors 240.

The case rack 200 is configured so that when the opening/closing door 240 is unlocked and open, multiple cases 300 can be inserted or removed from the front of the case rack 200. Conversely, when the opening/closing door 240 is closed and locked, multiple cases 300 cannot be inserted or removed from the front of the case rack 200.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in the partitions PRU and PRD that are opened by one of the multiple doors 240 that is in the open state, multiple cases 300 can be manually taken in and out. In the partitions PLU and PLD that are closed by one of the multiple doors 240 that is in the closed state, multiple cases 300 cannot be manually taken in and out.

The multiple first open/close detectors 251 detect the open/close states of the multiple open/close doors 240 in one-to-one correspondence. Each of the multiple first open/close detectors 251 is, for example, a door switch.

The multiple second open/close detectors 250 detect the open/close states of the multiple open/close doors 240 in one-to-one correspondence. The second open/close detectors 250 are electrically connected to the control unit, which will be described later. Each of the multiple second open/close detectors 250 is, for example, a door switch.

The dispensing table unit 100 has a mounting section 130 and a dispensing table 120. The dispensing table unit 100 further includes a housing 110, a lower storage space 140, an upper storage space 150, a display section 160, a touch panel 170, a code reader 180, a printer 190, and an indicator light 161. The maximum depth dimension of the dispensing table unit 100 in the front-to-rear direction is, for example, 700 mm.

In the housing 110, the portion above the mounting section 130 has a front surface positioned further back than the portion below the dispensing table 120. In this embodiment, openings 111 are formed on the front surface of the housing 110 above the dispensing table 120. Five openings 111 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Note that the number of openings 111 is not limited to five, and may be one or more.

The mounting section 130 is provided so that the first medicine can be placed thereon and so that the first medicine can be taken in and out. In this embodiment, the first medicine is contained in a case 300. A selected case 300a selected from a plurality of cases 300 can be placed on the mounting section 130. The mounting section 130 is provided so that the first medicine can be taken in and out of the selected case 300a.

In this embodiment, the mounting section 130 includes a base section 131 on which the selection case 300a is placed, and a wall section 132 attached to the front end of the base section 131. The wall section 132 is configured to be able to open and close the opening 111. Note that the mounting section 130 does not necessarily have to include the wall section 132; in this case, the housing 110 may be provided with a shutter that opens and closes the opening 111.

The mounting section 130 is configured to be removable in the front-to-rear direction relative to the housing 110 through the opening 111. In other words, the mounting section 130 is connected to the outside through the openable opening 111. Note that the mounting section 130 does not necessarily have to be removable; in this case, an opening that allows medication to be inserted into and removed from the selection case 300a is formed in the part of the housing 110 located above the mounting section 130. In this embodiment, five mounting sections 130 are arranged side by side in the left-to-right direction, but the number of mounting sections 130 is not limited to five and may be at least one.

The dispensing table 120 is configured so that trays or the like capable of containing medications can be placed on it. The dispensing table 120 is located around the placement unit 130, and in this embodiment, is located below the placement unit 130. A portion of the dispensing table 120 is located below the placement unit 130. Specifically, the rear portion of the dispensing table 120 is located directly below the placement unit 130. The dispensing table 120 and the placement unit 130 are spaced apart in the vertical direction. A storage space 112 is formed between the dispensing table 120 and the placement unit 130. A tray or the like for containing medications removed from the selection case 300a can be inserted into the storage space 112 from the front.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dispensing table 120 is located behind the front end of the case rack 200 when viewed from the left and right. In this embodiment, the front end of the case rack 200 is the front end of the handle of the opening and closing door 240.

The front end of the mounting section 130 is located behind the front end of the case rack 200. As shown in Figure 5, the selected case 300a placed on the mounting section 130 is located behind each of the multiple cases 300 stored in the case rack 200.

The lower storage space 140 can store other cases or medications that are different in shape or size from the case 300. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower storage space 140 is formed in the housing 110 at a position below the dispensing table 120 and the mounting portion 130. In this embodiment, the lower storage space 140 has multiple drawers arranged therein, but this is not limited thereto and a shelf may also be arranged therein. The lower storage space 140 does not necessarily have to be formed at all. The lower storage space 140 is a second storage portion that stores a second medication of a different type from the first medication so that it can be manually inserted and removed. The second storage portion may also store a medicine box that stores the second medication. The second medication includes various medications. For example, the second medication is a medication that is prescribed more frequently than the first medication.

The upper storage space 150 can store other cases that are different in shape or size from the case 300, or medications, etc. The upper storage space 150 is formed in the housing 110 at a position above the dispensing table 120 and the placing section 130. In this embodiment, a shelf is arranged in the upper storage space 150, but this is not limited thereto and multiple drawers may also be arranged. The upper storage space 150 does not necessarily have to be formed. The upper storage space 150 is a second storage section, and stores the second medication in a manner that allows it to be manually taken in and out.

Note that a side storage space (not shown) may be provided to the side of the mounting section 130 as the second storage section. The side storage space can store other cases that are different in shape or size from the case 300, or medicines, etc. The side storage space stores the second medicine so that it can be manually taken in and out. The side storage space is, for example, located on the right side of the dispensing table unit 100 shown in FIG. 2, and is provided to the right of the five mounting sections 130. In this way, the second storage section is provided around the mounting sections 130. The second storage section is provided above, below, or to the side of the mounting sections 130, or on at least one of the sides.

The display unit 160 is formed on the front surface of the housing 110, above the opening 111. The display unit 160 lights up when the selection case 300a is placed on the placement unit 130, thereby indicating that the selection case 300a is placed on the placement unit 130. Multiple display units 160 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple placement units 130.

The touch panel 170 is an image display unit that displays images. The touch panel 170 is located on the front of the housing 110, between the display unit 160 and the upper storage space 150 in the vertical direction, and approximately in the center of the housing 110 in the horizontal direction.

The touch panel 170 can display patient prescription information, etc., and can also accept a selection operation to select any case 300 from multiple cases 300. The touch panel 170 is electrically connected to the control unit.

The code reader 180 is located on the front of the housing 110, to the right of the touch panel 170. The code reader 180 reads codes such as barcodes attached to boxes containing medications. The code reader 180 is electrically connected to the control unit.

When refilling the selection case 300a with medication, the code reader 180 reads the code, allowing the control unit to identify the medication being refilled. If the control unit recognizes a medication different from the one to be refilled, it displays an alarm on the touch panel 170. This prevents the wrong medication from being refilled.

The printer 190 is located on the front of the housing 110, to the left of the touch panel 170. The printer 190 is capable of printing the patient's name, prescription information, etc. The printer 190 is electrically connected to the control unit.

The indicator light 161 is provided on the ceiling of the housing 110. The indicator light 161 indicates whether or not there is an abnormality in the medicine supply device 1. Specifically, if the medicine supply device 1 is normal, the indicator light 161 displays green, and if there is an abnormality in the medicine supply device 1, the indicator light 161 displays orange. The indicator light 161 is electrically connected to the control unit.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above the rear side, showing the transport unit moved above the mounting section. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the transport unit 400 is provided movably behind the case rack 200 and the dispensing table unit 100. The transport unit 400 transports the selected case 300a between the case rack 200 and the mounting section 130. That is, the transport unit 400 transports the first medicine between the first storage section and the mounting section 130. The transport unit 400 transports the first medicine based on prescription data, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the transport unit 400 transports the first medicine stored in the case 300. The transport unit 400 can sequentially load multiple selected cases 300a selected from multiple cases 300 from the case rack 200 onto multiple mounting sections 130, one by one.

The transport unit 400 is connected to the horizontal movement mechanism 500 and the vertical movement mechanism 600, allowing it to move left and right and up and down. In other words, the horizontal movement mechanism 500 and the vertical movement mechanism 600 are the drive mechanisms for the transport unit 400. Each of the transport unit 400, the horizontal movement mechanism 500, and the vertical movement mechanism 600 is electrically connected to the control unit.

The transport unit 400 is configured to be movable only when the opening/closing door 240 is closed and locked. Specifically, the control unit drives the transport unit 400, horizontal movement mechanism 500, and vertical movement mechanism 600 only when it recognizes that the opening/closing door 240 is locked. The control unit controls the driving of the transport unit 400. The control unit drives the horizontal movement mechanism 500 to drive the transport unit 400 in the left-right direction. The control unit drives the vertical movement mechanism 600 to drive the transport unit 400 in the up-down direction.

As shown in Figure 5, when the transport unit 400 moves within the case rack 200, it is positioned behind the case 300 placed on the shelf section 220.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the transport unit 400 moves left and right above the mounting section 130 inside the dispensing table unit 100. When the transport unit 400 moves left and right inside the dispensing table unit 100, it overlaps with the mounting section 130 when viewed from the top and bottom. In other words, the transport unit 400 is configured to pass through a position that overlaps with the selection case 300a placed on the mounting section 130 when viewed from the top and bottom, and is not configured to pass behind the selection case 300a without overlapping with the selection case 300a placed on the mounting section 130.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, an identification code 340 is affixed to the front of each of the multiple cases 300. The identification code 340 is a code for identifying the medication stored in the case 300. If multiple medications are stored in the case 300, multiple identification codes 340 may be affixed to the case 300. The identification code 340 may be, for example, a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark). The identification code 340 may be affixed to the side of the case 300 rather than to the front of the case 300. The identification code 340 does not necessarily have to be affixed to the case 300.

As shown in FIG. 4, an identification code 350, which is an information carrier, is attached to the rear surface of each of the multiple cases 300. The identification code 350 is a code for identifying each individual case 300. The identification code 350 is, for example, a barcode, a QR code (registered trademark), or a chameleon code (registered trademark). In this way, each of the multiple cases 300 is provided with an information carrier that carries identification information. The case identification information carried by the identification code 350 is pre-associated with medication identification information for identifying the medication contained in that case 300. Note that the identification information carried by the identification code 350 may be medication identification information for the medication contained in the case 300 to which the identification code 350 is attached.

Now, we will explain the case 300 according to this embodiment. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a case according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a case main body according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a case main body according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below.

As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the case 300 includes a case main body 310, a fractional part storage section 320, and a partition plate 330. The fractional part storage section 320 and the partition plate 330 are each formed so that they can be positioned inside the case main body 310.

The fractional quantity storage section 320 is a small case that stores fractional quantities of medicine packaged in, for example, a PTP (Press Through Package) packaging sheet. When storing multiple types of medicine in the case 300, the partition plates 330 divide the interior of the case body 310 into multiple areas so that each type of medicine can be stored separately.

The case body 310 has a bottom 310b, as well as a front wall 310f, a rear wall 310r, and a pair of side walls 310s that extend from the periphery of the bottom 310b. The case body 310 also has a transparent support portion 311 that faces the front wall 310f with a slit 317 between them. The case body 310 is formed by integral molding of resin.

The transparent support portion 311 supports a card with the name of the medication inserted into the slit 317 from above so that it can be seen from the front side of the case 300. Specifically, the bottom end of the transparent support portion 311 is bent backward, and this bent portion supports the card.

A pair of side walls 310s of the case body 310 are formed with steps 312 extending in the front-to-rear direction. The outer width of the case body 310 in the left-to-right direction is wider at the upper part than at the lower part of the steps 312. The inner width of the case body 310 in the left-to-right direction is also wider at the upper part than at the lower part of the steps 312.

A pair of protrusions 313 extending in the left-right direction are formed on the upper surface of the rear wall 310r of the case body 310. The pair of protrusions 313 are formed on both left-right sides of the upper surface of the rear wall 310r of the case body 310. The upper surface of each of the pair of protrusions 313 is inclined so that it is positioned upward as it moves forward.

As shown in Figure 9, a pair of recesses 314 are formed at the rear end of the bottom 310b of the case body 310. The pair of recesses 314 are formed at both left-right ends of the bottom 310b of the case body 310. Each of the pair of recesses 314 is open to the rear. That is, the inner wall surface of each of the pair of recesses 314 is composed of a pair of side wall surfaces 314s facing each other in the left-right direction and a front wall surface 314f connecting the pair of side wall surfaces 314s.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, on the inner surfaces of a pair of side walls 310s of the case body 310, a plurality of grooves 315 into which both left and right ends of the partition plate 330 are inserted are formed in the upper portion of the step portion 312. Each of the plurality of grooves 315 extends in the vertical direction.

On the inner surface of the pair of side walls 310s of the case body 310, grooves 316 are formed in the upper part of the step 312, which engage with protrusions 321 formed on each of the pair of side surfaces of the fractional part storage section 320 to position the fractional part storage section 320 in the front-to-rear direction.

As shown in Figure 9, an engagement portion 318 that engages with the claws of the transport unit 400 (described below) is formed on the rear side of the upper end of the rear wall portion 310r of the case main body 310. The engagement portion 318 faces the upper end of the rear wall portion 310r with a gap in the front-to-rear direction. The engagement portion 318 is connected to a flange that extends rearward from the upper end of the rear wall portion 310r.

Here, we will explain the configuration of the mounting unit 130 according to this embodiment and the configuration of the surrounding area of the mounting unit 130 in the dispensing table unit 100.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a medicine supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above on the front side, with the mounting section pulled out. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the periphery of the mounting section of a dispensing table unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above on the front side. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the periphery of the mounting section of one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below on the rear side. Figure 13 is a perspective view of a dispensing table unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above, with the mounting section removed. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of the periphery of the mounting section in Figure 11, viewed from the direction of the arrows XIV-XIV. Figure 15 is a side view of a dispensing table unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side, with the mounting section pulled out. Figure 16 is a side view of a dispensing table unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side, with the selection case removed from the pulled-out mounting section.

As shown in FIG. 10, when pulled out and positioned at the forwardmost position, the front end of the mounting section 130 is located behind the front end of the dispensing table 120.

As shown in Figures 10, 15, and 16, the mounting portion 130 is inclined so that, when pulled out and positioned at its forwardmost position, the front end of the mounting portion 130 is positioned lower than the rear end of the mounting portion 130. The front end of the mounting portion 130 is the wall portion 132, and the rear end of the mounting portion 130 is the rear end of the base portion 131. When the mounting portion 130 is pulled out, the opening 111 is open.

As shown in FIG. 15, the mounting section 130 with the opening 111 open is configured so that the selection case 300a placed on it can prevent foreign matter from entering from the outside through the opening 111. Specifically, the selection case 300a placed on the mounting section 130 that has been pulled out and has the opening 111 open prevents linear communication between the inside and outside of the medicine supply device 1 through the opening 111.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the base portion 131 has a flat plate-like shape. As shown in Figure 12, an opening 131h is formed in the base portion 131. A pair of rollers 131r are provided at the bottom of the base portion 131, spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each of the pair of rollers 131r is rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction. As shown in Figures 12 and 14 to 16, a dog 131a and an attached portion 131p are provided at the bottom of the base portion 131. Each of the dog 131a and the attached portion 131p is made from a single bent metal plate.

As shown in Figure 11, a handle 132a is formed on the lower part of the wall portion 132. The placement portion 130 can be pulled out by placing your hand on the handle 132a and pulling.

An opening 132b is formed in the upper part of the wall portion 132. A transparent plate 133 that covers the opening 132b is attached to the rear surface of the wall portion 132. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, a pair of protrusions 132c are provided on the rear surface of the wall portion 132. The transparent plate 133 is attached to the wall portion 132 by inserting the pair of protrusions 132c into a pair of through-holes formed in the transparent plate 133 and fitting a retaining ring 134 onto each of the pair of protrusions 132c.

This makes it possible to view the card with the name of the medication attached to the selection case 300a from the front side of the wall portion 132 through the transparent plate 133 and transparent support portion 311.

As shown in Figures 12 and 14 to 16, a protrusion 132d that engages with the upper surface of the front end of the selection case 300a is formed on the upper part of the rear surface of the wall portion 132. Specifically, a protrusion 132d extending in the left-right direction is formed on the upper part of the rear surface of the wall portion 132. The lower surface of the protrusion 132d is flat.

As shown in Figures 13 and 14 to 16, a first proximity sensor 10, a second proximity sensor 13, a position detection sensor 11, an electromagnet 12, a guide rail 113, a support roller 114, a contact portion 115, and a pressure roller 116 are provided around the placement portion 130 of the dispensing table unit 100. Each of the first proximity sensor 10, the position detection sensor 11, the electromagnet 12, and the second proximity sensor 13 is electrically connected to the control unit.

The first proximity sensor 10 detects that the selection case 300a has been placed on the placement section 130. The first proximity sensor 10 is positioned below the opening 131h of the base section 131 when the placement section 130 is not pulled out, and detects the presence or absence of the selection case 300a on the base section 131 through the opening 131h.

The second proximity sensor 13 detects whether or not a selection case 300a is placed on the placement section 130 when it is pulled out. The second proximity sensor 13 is positioned below the opening 131h of the base section 131 when the placement section 130 is pulled out, and detects the presence or absence of the selection case 300a on the base section 131 through the opening 131h.

The position detection sensor 11 detects that the mounting portion 130 is located at the origin position in the front-to-rear direction when the mounting portion 130 is not pulled out. Specifically, the position detection sensor 11 detects that the mounting portion 130 is located at the origin position by detecting a dog 131a provided on the bottom of the base portion 131. When the position detection sensor 11 does not detect the dog 131a, the opening 111 is open. The position detection sensor 11 is a pull-out detection unit that detects when the mounting portion 130 is pulled out. In this embodiment, the position detection sensor 11 is a microphotosensor, but is not limited to this and may be, for example, a limit switch.

The electromagnet 12 can lock the mounting portion 130 so that it cannot move. Specifically, when current is supplied to the electromagnet 12, it attracts the adsorbed portion 131p provided at the bottom of the base portion 131, thereby locking the mounting portion 130 so that it cannot move from its original position. When the supply of current to the electromagnet 12 is stopped, the mounting portion 130 is unlocked. With this configuration, the five mounting portions 130 can be individually switched between a state in which drugs can be inserted or removed from the selection case 300a on which they are placed and a state in which they cannot.

The guide rails 113 define the movement trajectory of the rollers 131r provided at the bottom of the base portion 131. Specifically, a pair of guide rails 113 are arranged below the mounting portion 130, spaced apart in the left-right direction and extending in the front-to-rear direction. Each of the pair of guide rails 113 has a through groove extending in the front-to-rear direction. A portion of the front side of the through groove is inclined so that it is positioned higher as it approaches the front. The rollers 131r move while rolling inside the through groove. This causes the mounting portion 130 to move in the front-to-rear direction.

As shown in Figures 13 to 16, the support roller 114 comes into rolling contact with the base portion 131 while the placement portion 130 is being pulled out, and serves as a fulcrum when the placement portion 130 rotates and tilts. Specifically, the support roller 114 is rotatably supported at a position behind the lower portion of the opening 111.

As the roller 131r advances and rises along the inclined portion of the through groove of the guide rail 113, the base portion 131 tilts by rotating around the portion supported by the support roller 114.

As shown in FIG. 15 , the abutment portion 115 is located above the rear portion of the selection case 300a placed on the mounting portion 130 when it is pulled out and positioned at its forward-most position. When the rear portion of the selection case 300a placed on the mounting portion 130 is lifted up due to the momentum of the mounting portion 130 being pulled out and tilted, the abutment portion 115 abuts against the rear portion of the selection case 300a, thereby holding the selection case 300a on the mounting portion 130. Specifically, the abutment portion 115 is provided on the housing 110 and is positioned above the opening 111 so as to be able to engage with each of the pair of protrusions 313. In this embodiment, the abutment portion 115 is made of sheet metal, but is not limited to this and may be made of rubber or the like.

As shown in Figures 13 to 16, the pressure roller 116 is rotatably supported above the support roller 114. The base portion 131 is sandwiched between the pressure roller 116 and the support roller 114, and the pressure roller 116 comes into rolling contact with the base portion 131 while the mounting portion 130 is being pulled out.

When the mounting portion 130 is tilted, the selection case 300a placed on the mounting portion 130 is removably held on the mounting portion 130 by the protrusion 132d pressing down on the upper surface of the front end of the selection case 300a and the abutment portion 115 being positioned at a distance from the rear portion of the selection case 300a. In this way, when the opening 111 is open in the mounting portion 130 on which the selection case 300a is placed, medication can be inserted and removed from the selection case 300a, and the selection case 300a can be removed from the mounting portion 130.

When the selection case 300a is removed from the mounting portion 130 to the outside in the open state, the first proximity sensor 10 and the second proximity sensor 13 do not detect the selection case 300a. On the other hand, when the selection case 300a is on the mounting portion 130 in the open state, at least one of the first proximity sensor 10 and the second proximity sensor 13 detects the selection case 300a. In other words, when both the first proximity sensor 10 and the second proximity sensor 13 no longer detect the selection case 300a in the open state, it is detected that the selection case 300a has been removed from the mounting portion 130 to the outside. In this way, the first proximity sensor 10 and the second proximity sensor 13 are removal detection units that detect whether the selection case 300a has been removed from the mounting portion 130 to the outside in the open state.

The configuration of the transport unit 400 will now be described. Figure 17 is a perspective view of the transport unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front, with the claw portion retracted. Figure 18 is a perspective view of the state of Figure 17, viewed from the direction of arrow XVIII. Figure 19 is a perspective view of the transport unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front, with the claw portion advanced. Figure 20 is a perspective view of the transport unit of Figure 19, viewed from the direction of arrow XX. Figure 19 shows a state in which the claw portion 450 has rotated to rise, and Figure 20 shows a state in which the claw portion 450 has descended.

As shown in Figures 17 to 20, the transport unit 400 includes a housing 410, a motor 420, a pair of rotating shafts 430, a pair of support arms 440, a claw portion 450, a push plate 460, a cord reader 470 serving as a position detection unit, and an abutment portion 490. The claw portion 450, the push plate 460, the cord reader 470, and the abutment portion 490 are configured to be movable together in the front-to-rear direction inside the housing 410. Specifically, the claw portion 450, the push plate 460, the cord reader 470, and the abutment portion 490 are configured to be movable in the front-to-rear direction by a feed screw mechanism.

The housing 410 is open at the lower front and bottom so that it can accommodate and support the selection case 300a. The housing 410 is connected to the connection attachment 630 of the vertical movement mechanism 600 so that the transport unit 400 can be driven by the horizontal movement mechanism 500 and the vertical movement mechanism 600.

The motor 420 is fixed to the housing 410. The motor 420 drives a pair of rotating shafts 430. Each of the pair of rotating shafts 430 is rotatably attached to the opposing inner surfaces of the lower part of the housing 410. Each of the pair of rotating shafts 430 extends in the front-to-rear direction.

A pair of support arms 440 are attached to each of the pair of pivot shafts 430. Each of the pair of support arms 440 rotates together with the pivot shaft 430 around the pivot shaft 430 to which it is attached. Each of the pair of support arms 440 is configured to support the step portion 312 of the selection case 300a from below, thereby being able to support the selection case 300a.

The claw portion 450 is configured to be able to engage with the inner surface of the engagement portion 318 of the selection case 300a. The claw portion 450 is supported so that it can rotate up and down.

The push plate 460 is configured to be able to abut against the outer surface of the engagement portion 318 of the selection case 300a. The push plate 460 is located above the claw portion 450.

The code reader 470 is configured to be able to read the identification code 350 attached to the selection case 300a. The code reader 470 is located behind the push plate 460.

The abutment portion 490 is configured to be able to abut against the guard, which will be described later. The abutment portion 490 is located above the push plate 460 and in front of it.

The configuration of the shelf section 220 of the case rack 200 will now be described. Figure 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a selection case stored in the case rack. Figure 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a two-tier shelf section. Figure 23 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the stopper and guard. Figure 24 is a plan view showing the configuration of the stopper and guard. Figure 25 is a rear view showing the configuration of the stopper and guard. Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of the stopper and guard in Figure 25, viewed from the direction of the arrows XXVI-XXVI. Figure 27 is a perspective view of a selection case stored in the case rack. Figure 21 shows the rear of the selection case 300a raised.

As shown in Figures 21 to 27, the shelf portion 220 of the case rack 200 is provided with stoppers 223 and guards 224. The stoppers 223 regulate the front-to-rear position of each of the multiple cases 300 when each of the multiple cases 300 is inserted into the case rack 200 from the front. The stoppers 223 also allow each of the multiple cases 300 to move forward and backward when each of the multiple cases 300 is inserted into or removed from the case rack 200 from the rear. The guards 224 regulate the multiple cases 300 from climbing over the stoppers 223 when each of the multiple cases 300 is inserted into or removed from the case rack 200 from the front.

Specifically, the stopper 223 and the guard 224 are each rotatably supported by a support plate 225. The support plate 225 is attached to the underside of the shelf portion 220. The support plate 225 supports the rotation shaft 226 of the stopper 223 and the rotation shaft 228 of the guard 224. A torsion spring 227 is attached to the rotation shaft 226, which biases the stopper 223 upward.

The guard 224 is supported by a pivot shaft 228 so that it hangs down under its own weight. The guard 224 is configured to be displaceable by pivoting forward from a first position in which it hangs down to a second position. When the guard 224 hangs down, an abutment surface 224b is formed at the bottom of the guard 224, which can abut from above against the protrusions 313 of each of the multiple cases 300. The abutment surface 224b is inclined so that it is positioned higher as it moves forward when the guard 224 is in the first position.

As shown in Figure 27, the shelf section 220 is provided with multiple guide walls 221 that determine the position of the case 300 in the left-right direction when the case 300 is inserted into the case rack 200 from the front. The case 300 is inserted between the guide walls 221.

A pair of openings 222 are formed at the rear of the shelf portion 220, spaced apart in the left-right direction. Two stoppers 223 are arranged to protrude from each of the pair of openings 222. Each of the two stoppers 223 can be moved between a state in which it protrudes from the opening 222 and a state in which it does not protrude from the opening 222, and is biased by a torsion spring 227 in the direction in which it protrudes from the opening 222.

When the case 300 is inserted into the case rack 200 from the front, the front wall surface 314f of the recess 314 formed in the bottom 310b of the case body 310 comes into contact with the stopper 223, positioning the case 300 in the front-to-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 21 , when a case 300 is inserted into the case rack 200 from the front and the rear of the case 300 is lifted up, the abutment surface 224b of the guard 224 in the first position abuts against the protrusion 313 of the case 300, thereby preventing the case 300 from climbing over the stopper 223. In other words, the guard 224 in the first position prevents each of the multiple cases 300 from climbing over the stopper 223.

When a case 300 is inserted or removed from the case rack 200 from the rear, the stopper 223 is pressed from above by the bottom 310b of the case 300, preventing it from protruding from the opening 222. When the stopper 223 does not protrude from the opening 222, movement of the case 300 in the front-to-rear direction is permitted. At this time, the guard 224 is displaced to the second position, as described below.

Here, we will explain the operation of the transport unit 400 when it receives and supports the selected case 300a from the case rack 200. With the claws 450 retracted, the transport unit 400 moves along the rear side of the case rack 200 and stops at a position behind the selected case 300a.

Figure 28 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the transport unit located behind the selected case stored in the case rack with the claw portion advanced.

As shown in FIG. 28, as the claw portion 450 advances, the claw portion 450 is positioned below the engagement portion 318 of the selection case 300a. At this time, the abutment portion 490 abuts against the guard 224. The guard 224 abutting against the abutment portion 490 rotates forward around the rotation shaft 228 and is displaced to the second position. In other words, when the transport unit 400 pulls out the selection case 300a stored in the case rack 200 toward the rear of the case rack 200, it displaces the guard 224 from the first position to the second position.

When the guard 224 is displaced to the second position, it is separated from the protrusion 313 of the selection case 300a, allowing the selection case 300a to pass over the stopper 223. In this way, the guard 224 is configured to be displaceable between a first position that prevents each of the multiple cases 300 from climbing over the stopper 223, and a second position that allows the selection case 300a to pass over the stopper 223. In other words, the guard 224 is configured to allow the selection case 300a to pass over the stopper 223 when the transport unit 400 pulls the selection case 300a stored in the case rack 200 to the rear of the case rack 200.

Figure 29 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a transport unit located behind a selection case stored in a case rack, with the claw portion rotated upward. As shown in Figure 29, by rotating the claw portion 450 upward, the claw portion 450 engages with the inner surface of the engagement portion 318 of the selection case 300a.

When the conveying unit 400 is slightly raised while the claw portion 450 is engaged with the inner surface of the engagement portion 318 of the selection case 300a, the rear side of the selection case 300a is lifted, as shown in FIG. 29, and the engagement between the recess 314 of the selection case 300a and the stopper 223 is released. It is also possible to configure the claw portion 450 to rotate upward, thereby lifting the rear side of the selection case 300a and releasing the engagement between the recess 314 of the selection case 300a and the stopper 223. It is also possible to configure the stopper 223 to retract from the recess 314 of the selection case 300a.

Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the claw engaged with the inner surface of the engagement portion of the selection case is retracted. As shown in Figure 30, the feed screw mechanism is driven, causing the claw 450 engaged with the inner surface of the engagement portion 318 of the selection case 300a to retract, causing the selection case 300a to slide along the shelf portion 220 and be pulled out rearward. At this time, the stopper 223 is pressed from above by the bottom 310b of the selection case 300a, and is in a state in which it barely protrudes from the opening 222.

As described above, when the transport unit 400 pulls out the selection case 300a stored in the case rack 200 toward the rear of the case rack 200, it abuts the abutment portion 490 against the guard 224 to displace it to the second position, and then pulls out the selection case 300a toward the rear of the case rack 200. Furthermore, when the transport unit 400 pulls out the selection case 300a stored in the case rack 200 toward the rear of the case rack 200, it lifts up the rear of the selection case 300a so that the selection case 300a can pass over the stopper 223.

Figure 31 is a perspective view of the transport unit from the front, with the claws engaged with the inner surface of the engagement portion of the selection case having finished retracting. Figure 32 is a perspective view of the transport unit of Figure 31, as seen from the direction of arrow XXXII.

When the transport unit 400 pulls out the selected case 300a stored in the case rack 200 to the rear of the case rack 200, it positions each of the pair of support arms 440 in the support position.

As shown in Figures 31 and 32, when the claws 450 engaged with the inner surface of the engagement portion 318 of the selection case 300a have finished retracting, the pair of support arms 440 are each positioned in a support position and support the step portion 312 of the selection case 300a from below. This allows the transport unit 400 to accommodate and support the selection case 300a. The transport unit 400, which accommodates and supports the selection case 300a, moves to a position above the mounting portion 130 and descends until the selection case 300a it is supporting is positioned directly above the base portion 131 of the mounting portion 130.

Figure 33 is a front view of the pair of support arms in the retracted position, as seen from the front. Figure 34 is a side view of the pair of support arms in Figure 33 in the retracted position, as seen from the direction of arrow XXXIV.

When the selection case 300a is positioned directly above the base portion 131 of the mounting portion 130, the pair of pivot shafts 430 are driven by the motor 420, as shown in Figures 33 and 34. This causes each of the pair of support arms 440 to rotate together with the pivot shaft 430 around the pivot shaft 430 to which it is attached, and move to a retracted position below the pair of pivot shafts 430. This places the selection case 300a on the mounting portion 130.

Here, we will explain the operation of the medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment for removing or refilling medicine. The medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment can be switched alternatively between a first mode and a second mode.

In the first mode, the selection case 300a can be transported by the transport unit 400. That is, in the first mode, medications can be removed or replenished in front of the dispensing table unit 100. Only in the first mode can medications be added to or removed from the selection case 300a placed on the placement section 130.

In the second mode, the transport unit 400 is stopped, and multiple cases 300 can be manually taken in and out of the case rack 200. That is, in the second mode, medicines can be removed or replenished in front of the case rack 200. Only in the second mode can medicines be taken in and out of the multiple cases 300 stored in the case rack 200.

First, an example of the operation for removing or replenishing medicines in front of the dispensing table unit 100 in the medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 35 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control circuit provided in the medicine supply device according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 35, the medicine supply device 1 includes a control unit 90. The control unit 90 includes an inventory quantity grasping unit 91 and a recording unit 92, which will be described later.

When the first mode is selected on the touch panel 170, the case containing the medication to be removed or the case to be replenished with medication is selected as the selected case from among the multiple cases stored in the case rack 200 based on information stored in the control unit 90.

The control unit 90 operates the horizontal movement mechanism 500 and the vertical movement mechanism 600 to position the transport unit 400 behind the selected case 300a stored in the case rack 200, as shown in Figure 5.

After the control unit 90 has the transport unit 400 accommodate and support the selection case 300a, it operates the horizontal movement mechanism 500 and the vertical movement mechanism 600 to position the transport unit 400 above the placement unit 130, as shown in Figure 6.

The transport unit 400, positioned above the mounting section 130, descends until the selection case 300a it is supporting is positioned directly above the base section 131 of the mounting section 130. The pair of support arms 440 then rotate to release support for the selection case 300a, and a portion of the bottom section 310b of the selection case 300a is placed on the base section 131. In this state, the push plate 460 advances while pressing against the outer surface of the engagement section 318 of the selection case 300a, causing the front end of the selection case 300a to come into contact with the wall section 132 of the mounting section 130, and the selection case 300a is placed on the base section 131.

When the first proximity sensor 10 detects that the selection case 300a has been placed on the base portion 131, the display unit 160 corresponding to that placement portion 130 lights up, the electromagnet 12 is unlocked, and the placement portion 130 can be pulled out.

As shown in Figure 15, when the mounting portion 130 is pulled out and tilted, the medicine contained in the selection case 300a is removed or the selection case 300a is replenished with medicine.

When the position detection sensor 11 detects that the placement unit 130 has been returned to the dispensing table unit 100 after the medication removal or refill is complete, the placement unit 130 is locked by the electromagnet 12. The selected case 300a placed on the placement unit 130 is then transported by the transport unit 400 and returned to its original position in the case rack 200 stored in the control unit 90.

Next, we will explain an example of the operation for removing or refilling medicine in front of the case rack 200 in the medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment.

When the second mode is selected on the touch panel 170, the opening and closing door 240 is unlocked and the transport unit 400 is immobilized. In this state, any one of the multiple cases 300 stored in the case rack 200 can be removed from the front of the case rack 200 to remove or replenish medication.

After medication removal or refilling is complete, the case 300 is placed into the case rack 200 from the front of the case rack 200. When a case 300 is placed in or removed in this way, it is not necessarily returned to its original position in the case rack 200. Therefore, before operating in the first mode, it is necessary to have the control unit 90 grasp the position of each of the multiple cases 300 within the case rack 200.

In the medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment, when the mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode, the code reader 470 is driven to determine the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200. Specifically, the transport unit 400 moves behind the case rack 200 along the arrangement of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200, and the code reader 470 reads the identification codes 350 of each of the multiple cases 300, thereby determining the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200. At this time, the code reader 470 is positioned far enough forward that it does not interfere with the cases 300.

The code reader 470 may be configured to determine the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200 by moving along the arrangement of the multiple cases 300 only in the multiple compartments PLU, PRU, PLD, PRD of the case rack 200 where the multiple second open/close detectors 250 have detected an open door 240. In this case, the code reader 470 does not determine the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in compartments that are closed by a closed door 240. Furthermore, the code reader 470 does not determine the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in compartments where the open door 240 has been detected and where the open state has not been detected again.

The identified storage positions of the multiple cases 300 are stored in the control unit 90, and the selected case 300a is transported during first mode operation based on this stored information. Note that if, after identifying the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200, it is determined that a case 300 that has been inserted or removed has not been returned to its original position in the case rack 200, the control unit 90 may display a message on the touch panel 170 guiding the user to return the inserted or removed case 300 to its original position in the case rack 200. Alternatively, the control unit 90 may cause the transport unit 400 to return the inserted or removed case 300 to its original position in the case rack 200.

When a case 300 is inserted or removed from the front of the case rack 200, the case 300 is typically returned to its original position on the case rack 200. Based on this, if an instruction to transport the selected case 300a by the transport unit 400 is issued when switching from the second mode to the first mode, the code reader 470 may not be driven, and priority may be given to the transport of the selected case 300a by the transport unit 400. In this case, even if the transport unit 400 moves to the storage position of the selected case 300a, the selected case 300a may not be present in that storage position, or another case 300 may be present in that storage position. In this case, a message to that effect is displayed on the touch panel 170, and the code reader 470 may be driven to identify the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200.

Maintaining the arrangement of the cases 300, which involves returning the cases 300 to their original positions in the case rack 200 when inserting or removing them from the front of the case rack 200, may or may not be thorough. If the arrangement of the cases 300 is not thoroughly maintained, the control unit 90 must determine the arrangement of each of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200 each time before operating in the first mode. If the arrangement of the cases 300 is thoroughly maintained, it is not necessary for the control unit 90 to determine the arrangement of each of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200 each time before operating in the first mode. In this way, it may be possible to set whether or not the code reader 470 is driven when switching from the second mode to the first mode, taking into account whether the arrangement of the cases 300 is maintained.

Next, an example of the operation of the transport unit 400 in the medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment when transporting a selected case 300a placed on one of the mounting sections 130 to the case rack 200 will be described. Figure 36 is a flowchart showing the operation of the transport unit in the medicine supply device according to this embodiment when transporting a selected case placed on one of the mounting sections to the case rack.

As shown in Figure 36, when the transport unit 400 transports a selected case 300a placed on a placement section 130 to the case rack 200, the control section 90 first determines whether a completion operation indicating the completion of the insertion and removal of medicines into and from the selected case 300a has been performed (step S1).

In this embodiment, the completion operation is an operation of returning one of the placement units 130 that has been pulled out to its original position, and can be detected by the position detection sensor 11. The completion operation may be input by tapping an area on the display of the touch panel 170 that corresponds to one of the placement units 130. Alternatively, a button may be provided near each of the multiple placement units 130, and the completion operation may be input by pressing the button near one of the placement units 130.

When the completion operation is performed, the transport unit 400 is set to a transport execution state in which it temporarily waits for one selected case 300a on one of the mounting sections 130, and then transports it from one of the mounting sections 130 to the case rack 200.

In this embodiment, while the transport unit 400 is set to the transport execution state, it waits for a certain period of time on one of the mounting sections 130, and then transports the selected case 300a from the mounting section 130 to the case rack 200.

Specifically, when the completion operation is performed, the control unit 90 sets the transport unit 400 to a transport execution state. Next, the control unit 90 determines whether a certain amount of time has passed since the completion operation was performed (step S2). If the certain amount of time has passed since the completion operation was performed, the control unit 90 causes the transport unit 400 to transport one selected case 300a to the case rack 200 (step S3).

If a certain amount of time has not elapsed since the completion operation, the control unit 90 determines whether a start operation has been performed, indicating the start of putting medicine into or taking medicine out of another selection case 300a (step S4). This start operation is an operation to pull out another placement section 130 on which another selection case 300a is placed, and can be detected by the position detection sensor 11.

When a start operation is performed for another selected case 300a, the control unit 90 causes the transport unit 400 to transport one selected case 300a to the case rack 200 (step S3). In this case, when a completion operation is performed to indicate the completion of loading or unloading medicine into one selected case 300a out of the multiple selected cases 300a, the transport unit 400 temporarily waits one selected case 300a on one of the multiple loading units 130 until a start operation is performed to indicate the start of loading or unloading medicine into another selected case 300a out of the multiple selected cases 300a, and then transports the one selected case 300a from the one loading unit 130 to the case rack 200.

If a start operation has not been performed for another selection case 300a, the control unit 90 determines whether a cancel operation has been performed (step S5). If the selection case 300a is temporarily waiting on one of the placement units 130 and the placement unit 130 is unlocked and can be pulled out, the cancel operation may be an operation to pull out the placement unit 130 again. The cancel operation may be input by tapping an area on the display of the touch panel 170 that corresponds to the placement unit 130. Alternatively, a button may be provided near each of the multiple placement units 130, and the cancel operation may be input by pressing the button near the placement unit 130.

If a cancellation operation is performed, the process returns to step S1, and the transport unit 400 is released from the transport execution state. In other words, if a cancellation operation to cancel the completion operation is performed while one selected case 300a is temporarily waiting on one placement section 130, the transport unit 400 is released from the transport execution state. If a cancellation operation is not performed, the process returns to step S2.

If a start operation has not been performed for another selected case 300a, the control unit 90 may further determine whether the transport unit 400 has arrived at one of the mounting sections 130 before step S5. If the transport unit 400 has arrived at one of the mounting sections 130, the process may proceed to step S3. If the transport unit 400 has not arrived at one of the mounting sections 130, the process may proceed to step S5. In this way, one of the selected cases 300a may be made to wait at one of the mounting sections 130 until the transport unit 400 arrives at one of the mounting sections 130.

If the housing 110 is provided with a shutter that opens and closes the opening 111, the operation of pulling out the placement section 130 in the above start operation and the above cancel operation can be changed to an operation of opening the shutter, and the above completion operation can be changed to an operation of closing the shutter.

Next, an example of the operation of the medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment when drugs are dispensed or inserted based on multiple prescription data will be described. Figure 37 shows a state in which the transport unit has transported a selected case containing a drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data to a loading section in an example of the medicine supply device according to this embodiment.

As shown in Figure 37, when the transport unit 400 transports a selected case 300a containing a drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data to a mounting section 130, the display section 160 corresponding to the selected case 300a lights up, the mounting section 130 is unlocked, and the selected case 300a is ready for drug insertion and removal. The selected case 300a is the mounting section 130 located first from the left.

Figure 38 shows an example of a medicine supply device according to this embodiment, showing the state in which the transport unit transports another selection case containing another medicine to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data to another loading section.

As shown in Figure 38, when the transport unit 400 transports another selection case 300a containing another drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data to another mounting section 130, the display section 160 corresponding to the other mounting section 130 lights up, and the other mounting section 130 is unlocked, allowing drugs to be inserted into and removed from the other selection case 300a. The other mounting section 130 is the mounting section 130 located second from the left.

When the first prescription data contains two types of medication to be supplied, as shown in Figure 38, after the selected cases 300a containing the medications to be supplied included in the first prescription data are transported from the case rack 200 to the two mounting sections 130, there will be three specific mounting sections 130 out of the five mounting sections 130 that do not contain the selected cases 300a. The three specific mounting sections 130 are the third to fifth mounting sections 130 from the left.

Figure 39 shows an example of a medicine supply device according to this embodiment, showing the state in which the transport unit sequentially transports selected cases containing the medicines to be supplied that are included in the second prescription data to the specific placement section.

As shown in FIG. 39, the transport unit 400 transports selected cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the first prescription data from the case rack 200 to two mounting sections 130, and then, if there is a specific mounting section 130 among the five mounting sections 130 on which a selected case 300a is not placed, transports at least one selected case 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the second prescription data from the case rack 200 to the specific mounting section 130.

The specific placement unit 130 remains in a state where the selected case 300a for the drugs to be supplied, which is included in the second prescription data, cannot be loaded or unloaded until a completion operation is performed indicating that the selected case 300a for the drugs to be supplied, which is included in the first prescription data, has been loaded or unloaded.

As shown in FIG. 39, when the transport unit 400 transports the selected case 300a containing the drug to be supplied, which is included in the second prescription data, to the specific mounting section 130, the display section 160 corresponding to the specific mounting section 130 lights up, and the specific mounting section 130 remains locked.

Of the five display units 160, the display units 160 corresponding to the mounting units 130 on which the selection cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the first prescription data are placed have the same display mode, but have different display modes from the display units 160 corresponding to the mounting units 130 on which the selection cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the second prescription data are placed.

For example, the display units 160 corresponding to the first and second mounting units 130 from the left, on which the selection cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the first prescription data are placed, emit blue light, and the display units 160 corresponding to the third to fifth mounting units 130 from the left, on which the selection cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the second prescription data are placed, emit green light.

Figure 40 shows an example of a medicine supply device according to this embodiment, in which a transport unit transports a selected case containing a medicine to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data from a placement unit to a case rack.

When a completion operation is performed for one selected case 300a of one drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data, as shown in FIG. 40, the transport unit 400 transports the one selected case 300a from one mounting section 130 to the case rack 200. As a result, the display section 160 corresponding to the one mounting section 130 turns off, and the one mounting section 130 is locked.

Figure 41 shows an example of a medicine supply device according to this embodiment, showing the state in which the transport unit transports another selected case containing another medicine to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data from another loading unit to the case rack.

When a completion operation is performed on another selected case 300a containing another drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data, the transport unit 400 transports the other selected case 300a from the other mounting section 130 to the case rack 200, as shown in FIG. 41. As a result, the display 160 corresponding to the other mounting section 130 turns off, and the other mounting section 130 is locked.

When the operation to complete the insertion and removal of all drugs from and into the selection cases 300a of the drugs to be supplied included in the first prescription data has been performed, the three placement units 130 on which the selection cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the second prescription data are placed are unlocked. In other words, of the five placement units 130, each placement unit 130 on which the selection cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in one prescription data are placed is switched to a state in which drugs can be inserted and removed.

In addition, among the five mounting sections 130, the mounting sections 130 on which the selection cases 300a are placed may be selectively switched one by one in sequence to a state in which medication can be inserted or removed. An example of the operation in this case is described below.

Figure 42 shows a state in which a transport unit transports a selected case containing a drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data to a loading section in a first modified example of the drug supply device according to this embodiment.

As shown in Figure 42, when the transport unit 400 transports a selected case 300a containing a drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data to a mounting section 130, the display section 160 corresponding to the selected case 300a lights up, the mounting section 130 is unlocked, and the selected case 300a is ready for drug insertion and removal. The selected case 300a is the mounting section 130 located first from the left.

Figure 43 shows a state in which the transport unit transports another selection case containing another drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data to another loading section in the first modified example of the drug supply device according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 43, when the transport unit 400 transports another selected case 300a containing another drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data to another mounting unit 130, the display unit 160 corresponding to the other mounting unit 130 lights up, and the other mounting unit 130 remains locked. The other mounting unit 130 is the mounting unit 130 located second from the left.

Figure 44 shows the state in which the transport unit sequentially transports selected cases containing the drugs to be supplied, which are included in the second prescription data, to the specific loading section in the first modified example of the drug supply device according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 44, the transport unit 400 transports selected cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the first prescription data from the case rack 200 to two mounting sections 130, and then, if there is a specific mounting section 130 among the five mounting sections 130 that does not have a selected case 300a mounted therein, transports at least one selected case 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the second prescription data from the case rack 200 to the specific mounting section 130. The specific mounting section 130 is the mounting section 130 located third to fifth from the left.

The specific placement unit 130 remains in a state where the selected case 300a for the drugs to be supplied, which is included in the second prescription data, cannot be loaded or unloaded until a completion operation is performed indicating that the selected case 300a for the drugs to be supplied, which is included in the first prescription data, has been loaded or unloaded.

As shown in Figure 44, when the transport unit 400 transports the selected case 300a containing the drug to be supplied, which is included in the second prescription data, to the specific mounting section 130, the display section 160 corresponding to the specific mounting section 130 lights up, and the specific mounting section 130 remains locked.

Figure 45 shows a state in which a transport unit transports a selected case containing a drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data from a placement unit to a case rack in a first modified example of the drug supply device according to this embodiment.

When a completion operation is performed for one selected case 300a of one drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data, as shown in FIG. 45, the transport unit 400 transports the one selected case 300a from one mounting section 130 to the case rack 200, and the other mounting sections 130 are unlocked. As a result, the display section 160 corresponding to the one mounting section 130 turns off, the one mounting section 130 is locked, and drugs can be inserted into and removed from the other selected case 300a.

Figure 46 shows the state in which the transport unit transports another selected case containing another drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data from another loading unit to the case rack in the first modified example of the drug supply device according to this embodiment.

When a completion operation is performed on another selected case 300a containing another drug to be supplied that is included in the first prescription data, the transport unit 400 transports the other selected case 300a from the other mounting section 130 to the case rack 200, as shown in FIG. 46. As a result, the display section 160 corresponding to the other mounting section 130 turns off, and the other mounting section 130 is locked.

When the operation to complete the insertion and removal of all drugs from and into the selected cases 300a of the drugs to be supplied included in the first prescription data has been performed, one of the three mounting units 130 on which the selected cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the second prescription data are placed is unlocked. As described above, the mounting units 130 on which the selected cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in one prescription data are placed are selectively switched one by one to a state where drugs can be inserted and removed.

The display mode of the display unit 160 may be changed so that it is possible to tell whether the placement unit 130 on which the selection case 300a is placed is unlocked or not. For example, the display unit 160 corresponding to a placement unit 130 on which the selection case 300a is placed but is not unlocked is lit, and the display unit 160 corresponding to a placement unit 130 on which the selection case 300a is placed and is unlocked is flashing.

The display mode of the display unit 160 described above may also be displayed on the touch panel 170. Figure 47 shows an example of the display on the touch panel of the medicine supply device according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 47, multiple display units are displayed on the touch panel 170 to correspond to the arrangement of the multiple placement units 130. Specifically, multiple placement unit regions R130 are displayed on the touch panel 170 to correspond to the arrangement of the multiple placement units 130, and multiple display regions R160 are displayed in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple placement unit regions R130.

Each of the multiple display areas R160, the display areas R160 corresponding to the mounting units 130 on which the selection cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the first prescription data are placed, have the same display format, while the display areas R160 corresponding to the mounting units 130 on which the selection cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the second prescription data are placed have different display formats.

The touch panel 170 displays a prescription data area RD that displays multiple prescription data, a selection area RC in which prescription data can be selected, a mode switching area R400 in which the user can switch between the first mode and the second mode, and a completion area RE in which the user can input a completion operation indicating that the medication included in the prescription data has been dispensed or dispensed.

Next, we will explain an example of the operation for determining the inventory quantity of medicines in the medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment.

The inventory quantity grasping unit 91 shown in Figure 35 grasps the inventory quantity of medicines stored in the case rack 200. The inventory quantity grasping unit 91 is composed of a memory unit and a calculation device. The inventory quantities of medicines stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit are grasped by a computer (not shown) that is electrically connected to the control unit 90. In this embodiment, the inventory quantities of medicines stored in the case rack 200, the lower storage space 140, and the upper storage space 150 are grasped by the computer.

In both the first mode and the second mode, when a completion operation is performed indicating the completion of taking in or taking out the medication to be supplied, which is included in the prescription data, the inventory quantity ascertaining unit 91 updates the inventory quantity of the medication to be supplied based on the prescription data. That is, in the inventory quantity ascertaining unit 91, each time a completion operation is performed, the calculation device calculates the inventory quantity by subtracting the quantity of the medication to be supplied, which is included in the prescription data, from the inventory quantity before supply, which is stored in the memory unit, and the memory unit stores the calculated inventory quantity and updates the inventory quantity.

When the medicine supply device 1 is in the first mode, the completion operation is an operation of returning one of the mounting sections 130 that has been pulled out to its original position, and can be detected by the position detection sensor 11. The completion operation may be input by tapping the mounting section region R130 corresponding to one of the mounting sections 130 on the display of the touch panel 170. Alternatively, a button may be provided near each of the multiple mounting sections 130, and the completion operation may be input by pressing the button near one of the mounting sections 130.

When the medicine supply device 1 is in the second mode, the completion operation is input by tapping the completion area RE on the touch panel 170 shown in FIG. 47, with the selection area RC checked to select one of the prescription data.

In the second mode, it is possible to perform a completion operation, which indicates the completion of the insertion and removal of medications to be supplied that are included in multiple prescription data, all at once. Specifically, on the touch panel 170 shown in FIG. 47, by checking multiple selection areas RC to select multiple prescription data, and then tapping the completion area RE, the completion operations can be performed all at once.

The recording unit 92 shown in Figure 35 records the history of medication intake and withdrawal. The recording unit 92 records prescription data and implementation mode information indicating whether the medication to be supplied included in the prescription data was taken in or out in the first mode or the second mode, in association with each other.

Here, we will explain an example of drive control of the transport unit 400 when the selection case 300a is removed from the placement section 130 to the outside in the medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the first proximity sensor 10 and second proximity sensor 13, which are removal detection units, detect that the selection case 300a has been removed from the placement unit 130 with the opening 111 open, the control unit 90 stops driving the transport unit 400. In other words, when the first proximity sensor 10 and second proximity sensor 13 no longer detect the selection case 300a in the open state, the control unit 90 stops driving the transport unit 400. At this time, the control unit 90 stops the horizontal movement mechanism 500 and vertical movement mechanism 600.

In this embodiment, the control unit 90 stops driving the transport unit 400 when the position detection sensor 11, which serves as the drawer detection unit, detects that the placement unit 130 has been drawn out, and when the first proximity sensor 10 and second proximity sensor 13, which serve as the removal detection unit, detect that the selection case 300a has been removed from the placement unit 130 to the outside.

On the other hand, when the first proximity sensor 10 and second proximity sensor 13, which are the removal detection units, do not detect that the selection case 300a has been removed from the placement unit 130 in the open state, the control unit 90 continues to drive the transport unit 400. In other words, when at least one of the first proximity sensor 10 and the second proximity sensor 13 detects the selection case 300a in the open state, the control unit 90 continues to drive the transport unit 400.

Here, we will explain the power supply system in the medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 48 is a power supply system diagram for the medicine supply device according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 48, in the medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment, power is supplied from a commercial power source 700. A touch panel 170, which serves as an operation unit, is connected to the commercial power source 700.

A first power supply unit 710 is connected to a commercial power supply 700 via a relay 730. The first power supply unit 710 is connected to a horizontal movement mechanism 500 that drives the transport unit 400 in the left-right direction, and a vertical movement mechanism 600 that drives the transport unit 400 in the up-down direction. In this way, the relay 730 is provided in the power supply path to the drive mechanism of the transport unit 400.

A second power supply unit 720 is connected to the commercial power supply 700. The second power supply unit 720 is connected to a load unit 740 other than the horizontal movement mechanism 500 and vertical movement mechanism 600, which are the drive mechanisms of the transport unit 400. The load unit 740 includes the control unit 90, code reader 180, printer 190, display unit 160, indicator light 161, first open/close detection unit 251, second open/close detection unit 250, and lock unit 260. The motor that drives the feed screw mechanism in the transport unit 400 may also be included in the load unit 740.

Figure 49 is an electrical circuit diagram of a portion of the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, including a first open/close detector and a relay. As shown in Figure 49, multiple first open/close detectors 251 are connected in series to each other on the input side of a relay 730. A coil is disposed on the input side of the relay 730. When any one of the multiple first open/close detectors 251 detects that the corresponding door 240 is open, the relay 730 cuts off the power supply path to the drive mechanism of the transport unit 400. As shown in Figure 48, the load 740 is connected to the second power supply 720, and therefore power supply to the load 740 is maintained even when at least one door 240 is open.

Here, an example of the safety ensuring operation by the control unit 90 while the transport unit 400 is being driven will be described. Figure 50 is a flowchart showing the safety ensuring operation by the control unit while the transport unit is being driven in the medicine supply device according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 50, while the transport unit 400 is being driven, the control unit 90 determines whether the second open/close detector 250 has detected that the open state of the door 240 has been detected (step S11). The control unit 90 stops the drive of the transport unit 400 when at least one second open/close detector 250 detects that at least one door 240 is open (step S12). In other words, when at least one second open/close detector 250 detects that at least one door 240 is open, the control unit 90 stops the horizontal movement mechanism 500 and the vertical movement mechanism 600.

After stopping the drive of the transport unit 400, the control unit 90 causes the locking unit 260 to unlock the opening/closing door 240 (step S13). This prevents the locking unit 260 from partially locking the opening/closing door 240 in the open state, even if the locking unit 260 is partially locking the opening/closing door 240 in the open state.

Next, the control unit 90 determines whether the closed state of all the opening/closing doors 240 has been detected by all the second opening/closing detection units 250 (step S14). After it has been confirmed that all the opening/closing doors 240 are closed, the control unit 90 causes the lock unit 260 to lock the opening/closing doors 240 (step S15).

After the locking unit 260 locks the opening/closing door 240, the control unit 90 resumes driving the transport unit 400 (step S16). In this way, when the control unit 90 starts driving the transport unit 400, it causes the locking unit 260 to lock the opening/closing door 240 in the closed state.

As described above, in the medicine supply device 1 according to this embodiment, when at least one of the opening and closing doors 240 is opened, the power supply to the drive mechanism of the transport unit 400 is stopped, and the control unit 90 stops driving the transport unit 400.

The case rack 200 may be provided with a position detection unit that detects whether each of the multiple cases 300 is located behind a specified position. The specified position is the position at which the case 300 is placed in the case rack 200 from which the transport unit 400 can stably pull out the case 300 when transporting the case 300 using the transport unit 400. Here, we will explain a second modified example of the medicine supply device according to this embodiment that is provided with a position detection unit.

Figure 51 is a rear view of the case rack of a second modified example of the medicine supply device according to this embodiment. Figure 52 is a side view of the case rack of Figure 51 as viewed from the direction of arrow LII. Figure 52 shows the case 300 positioned at the specified position.

As shown in Figures 51 and 52, the case rack 200a of the second modified example of the medicine supply device according to this embodiment is provided with a position detection unit 270 that detects whether each of the multiple cases 300 is positioned behind a specified position. In this modified example, the position detection unit 270 includes a photoelectric sensor 271 and a reflector 272. The photoelectric sensor 271 includes an irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the reflector 272, and a light receiving unit that receives the light reflected from the reflector 272. The position detection unit 270 is electrically connected to the control unit 90.

The position detection units 270 are arranged along the vertical arrangement of the multiple cases 300. However, the position detection units 270 may also be arranged along the horizontal arrangement of the multiple cases 300.

The position detection unit 270 detects whether each of the multiple cases 300 is located behind the specified position by transmitting and receiving light that passes behind the specified position. Specifically, the light emitted from the irradiating unit of the photoelectric sensor 271 and reflected by the reflector 272 is detected by the light receiving unit, and the position detection unit 270 detects that each of the multiple cases 300 arranged along the optical path is not located behind the specified position. On the other hand, when the light receiving unit of the photoelectric sensor 271 does not detect the light emitted from the irradiating unit, the position detection unit 270 detects that at least one of the multiple cases 300 arranged along the optical path is located behind the specified position and is blocking the light.

When the position detection unit 270 detects the presence of a case 300 that is located behind the specified position among the multiple cases 300, the control unit 90 stops the vertical and horizontal movement of the transport unit 400. In other words, when at least one position detection unit 270 detects that at least one case 300 is located behind the specified position, the control unit 90 stops the horizontal movement mechanism 500 and the vertical movement mechanism 600.

In this modified example, the stopper 223 and guard 224 do not necessarily have to be provided on the case rack 200a.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, when at least one opening/closing section is open, the power supply to the drive mechanism of the transport unit 400 is stopped, and the control unit 90 stops driving the transport unit 400. This allows the drive of the transport unit 400 to be stopped by two different systems when an opening/closing section is open. Therefore, even if one system does not function properly, the drive of the transport unit 400 can be stopped by the other system, ensuring a high level of safety.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, a relay 730 is provided in the power supply path to the drive mechanism of the transport unit 400. The case rack 200 is provided with at least one first open/close detector 251 that detects the open/close state of at least one open/close section. When at least one first open/close detector 251 detects that at least one open/close section is open, the relay 730 cuts off the power supply path. This makes it possible to stop the power supply to the drive mechanism of the transport unit 400 when an open/close section is open, using a simple configuration.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, a plurality of first open/close detectors 251 are provided in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of open/close units. The plurality of first open/close detectors 251 are connected in series to each other on the input side of the relay 730. When any one of the plurality of first open/close detectors 251 detects that the corresponding open/close unit is open, the relay 730 cuts off the power supply path. This makes it possible to stop the supply of power to the drive mechanism of the transport unit 400 when any one of the plurality of open/close units is open.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the case rack 200 is provided with at least one second open/close detector 250 that detects the open/closed state of at least one open/close section. The control unit 90 stops driving the transport unit 400 when at least one second open/close detector 250 detects that at least one open/close section is open. This allows the control unit 90 to stop driving the transport unit 400 when the second open/close detector 250 detects that an open section is open while the transport unit 400 is being driven.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the case rack 200 is provided with at least one locking unit 260 that is electrically connected to the control unit 90 and locks at least one opening/closing unit in a closed state. When the control unit 90 starts driving the transport unit 400, it causes the locking unit 260 to lock at least one opening/closing unit in a closed state. This prevents the opening of the opening/closing unit while the transport unit 400 is being driven, ensuring a high level of safety.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, even when at least one opening/closing section is open, the power supply to the load section 740 other than the drive mechanism of the transport unit 400 is maintained. As a result, when the drive of the transport unit 400 is resumed after the power supply to the drive mechanism of the transport unit 400 is stopped, the control section 90 and other components are still functioning, allowing the medicine supply device to be restored smoothly.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the case rack 200 is provided with stoppers 223 that regulate the front-to-rear position of each of the multiple cases 300 when each of the multiple cases 300 is inserted into the case rack 200 from the front, and guards 224 that regulate the multiple cases 300 from climbing over the stoppers 223. This makes it possible to prevent damage caused by contact between the transport unit 400 and a case 300 that is positioned out of its specified position on the case rack 200.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the guard 224 is configured to allow the selection case 300a to pass over the stopper 223 when the transport unit 400 pulls out the selection case 300a stored in the case rack 200 toward the rear of the case rack 200. This prevents the stopper 223 from becoming an obstacle when the transport unit 400 pulls out the selection case 300a stored in the case rack 200.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the guard 224 is configured to be movable between a first position that prevents each of the multiple cases 300 from climbing over the stopper 223, and a second position that allows the selection case 300a to pass over the stopper. This allows the guard 224 to maintain the case 300 in a specified position while allowing the transport unit 400 to pull out the selection case 300a.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the guard 224 is configured to be able to rotate forward from the first position, in which it is positioned in a hanging state, to the second position. This allows the guard 224 to be easily displaced between the first position and the second position.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the guard 224 has a contact surface 224b that can contact each of the multiple cases 300 from above. The contact surface 224b is inclined so that it is positioned higher toward the front when the guard 224 is in the first position. This makes it easier for the abutment surface 224b to disengage from the protrusion 313 of the case 300 when a case 300 stored in the case rack 200 is pulled forward, preventing the guard 224 from rotating forward along with the case 300 and displacing to the second position. As a result, when storing a case 300 from the front of the case rack 200, even if a case 300 is pushed into the case rack 200 and then pushed back again immediately after being pulled out, the guard 224 is positioned in the first position, and therefore prevents the pushed-in case 300 from climbing over the stopper 223.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the transport unit 400 displaces the guard 224 from the first position to the second position when the selected case 300a stored in the case rack 200 is pulled out toward the rear of the case rack 200. This eliminates the need to provide a drive mechanism separate from the transport unit 400 for displacing the guard 224 from the first position to the second position, simplifying the configuration of the medicine supply device.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the transport unit 400 has an abutment portion 490 that abuts against the guard 224. When the transport unit 400 pulls out the selection case 300a stored in the case rack 200 toward the rear of the case rack 200, the abutment portion 490 abuts against the guard 224 to displace the selection case 300a to the second position, and then the transport unit 400 pulls out the selection case 300a toward the rear of the case rack 200. As a result, the guard 224 can be displaced from the first position to the second position by the action of the transport unit 400 when pulling out the selection case 300a toward the rear of the case rack 200, eliminating the need for a separate action to displace the guard 224 from the first position to the second position.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the case rack 200 is provided with a position detection unit 270 that detects whether each of the multiple cases 300 is located behind the specified position. When the position detection unit 270 detects the presence of a case 300 among the multiple cases 300 that is located behind the specified position, the control unit 90 stops the vertical and horizontal movement of the transport unit 400. This makes it possible to prevent damage caused by contact between the transport unit 400 and a case 300 that is located behind the specified position on the case rack 200.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the position detection unit 270 detects whether each of the multiple cases 300 is located behind the specified position by transmitting and receiving light that passes behind the specified position. This makes it possible to instantly detect the presence of a case 300 that is located behind the specified position on the case rack 200.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the position detection units 270 are arranged along the vertical or horizontal arrangement of the multiple cases 300. This allows for a reduction in the number of position detection units 270 required compared to when one position detection unit 270 is provided for each case 300.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the position detection unit 270 includes a photoelectric sensor 271 and a reflector 272. The photoelectric sensor 271 includes an irradiation unit that irradiates light onto the reflector 272, and a light receiving unit that receives the light reflected from the reflector 272. This simplifies the configuration of the position detection unit 270 while facilitating alignment of the optical axes of the irradiation unit and the light receiving unit.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the mounting section 130 is connected to the outside through an openable opening 111. When the opening 111 of the mounting section 130 on which the selection case 300a is mounted is open, medicines can be inserted into and removed from the selection case 300a, and the selection case 300a can be removed from the mounting section 130. The medicine supply device further includes a removal detection section electrically connected to the control section 90 that detects whether the selection case 300a has been removed from the mounting section 130 to the outside in the open state. When the removal detection section detects that the selection case 300a has been removed from the mounting section 130 to the outside, the control section 90 stops driving the transport unit 400. As a result, when the opening 111 is open, medicines can be inserted into and removed from the selection case 300a, and the selection case 300a can be removed from the mounting section 130, facilitating the insertion and removal of medicines. When the selection case 300a is removed from the placement section 130 to the outside in the open state, the drive of the transport unit 400 is stopped, ensuring safety.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the placement section 130 in the open state is configured so that the selection case 300a placed on it can prevent foreign matter from entering from the outside through the opening 111. As a result, when the selection case 300a is placed on the placement section 130 in the open state, the selection case 300a can prevent foreign matter from entering the interior of the medicine supply device from the outside through the opening 111, ensuring safety.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the control unit 90 continues driving the transport unit 400 when the removal detection unit does not detect that the selection case 300a has been removed from the placement unit 130 in the open state. This allows the transport unit 400 to continue driving while the selection case 300a is placed on the placement unit 130 in the open state, thereby preventing a decrease in the availability of the transport unit 400.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the mounting unit 130 is configured to be retractable in the front-to-rear direction and to enter the open state when retracted. The mounting unit 130 is provided with a removal detection unit that is electrically connected to the control unit 90 and detects when the mounting unit 130 has been removed. The control unit 90 stops driving the transport unit 400 when the removal detection unit detects that the mounting unit 130 has been removed and the removal detection unit detects that the selection case 300a has been removed from the mounting unit 130. This stops driving the transport unit 400 when the selection case 300a is removed from the mounting unit 130 when the mounting unit 130 is in the open state with the mounting unit 130 pulled out, thereby ensuring safety.

In the drug supply device according to this embodiment, when a completion operation is performed indicating the completion of drug insertion/removal from the selected case 300a, the transport unit 400 is set to a transport execution state in which the selected case 300a is temporarily placed on hold in at least one mounting section 130 and then transported from the at least one mounting section 130 to the case rack 200. If a cancel operation is performed to cancel the completion operation while the selected case 300a is temporarily placed on hold in at least one mounting section 130, the transport unit 400 is released from the transport execution state. This makes it possible to reduce the time required to move the case 300 from the case rack 200 when drug insertion/removal operations are resumed within a certain period of time for the case 300 for which drug insertion/removal operations have been performed.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, while the transport unit 400 is set to the transport execution state, it waits for a certain period of time to pass on at least one of the mounting sections 130, and then transports the selected case 300a from the at least one mounting section 130 to the case rack 200. This allows medicine to be put into or taken out of the selected case 300a again until the certain period of time has passed while the transport execution state is set.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, when a completion operation is performed indicating the completion of the insertion or removal of medicine into or from one of the multiple selection cases 300a, the transport unit 400 temporarily waits the one selection case 300a on one of the multiple mounting sections 130 until a start operation is performed indicating the start of the insertion or removal of medicine into or from another of the multiple selection cases 300a, and then transports the one selection case 300a from the one mounting section 130 to the case rack 200. This allows medicine to be inserted or removed from the one selection case 300a again until the insertion or removal of medicine into or from the other selection case 300a begins.

In the drug supply device according to this embodiment, while the transport unit 400 is set to the transport execution state, it keeps the selected case 300a waiting on at least one mounting section 130 until the transport unit 400 reaches at least one mounting section 130, and then transports it from at least one mounting section 130 to the case rack 200. This allows drugs to be put into or taken out of the selected case 300a again until the transport unit 400 reaches at least one mounting section 130 while the transport execution state is set.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, at least one mounting section 130 is configured to be retractable in the forward and backward directions and to be lockable so that it cannot be moved. While the selection case 300a is temporarily waiting in at least one mounting section 130, at least one mounting section 130 can be pulled out without being locked, and the cancellation operation is the operation of pulling out at least one mounting section. This makes it easy to perform the cancellation operation.

In the drug supply device according to this embodiment, the transport unit 400 transports the first drug between the first storage section and the mounting section 130. The second storage section is provided around the mounting section 130 and stores the second drug so that it can be manually added and removed. This narrows the range of movement required by the operator to add and remove drugs, allowing multiple types of drugs to be added and removed in a short amount of time.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, a dispensing table 120 is provided around the mounting section 130. This makes it easier to insert and remove medicines.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the second storage section is provided above, below, or to the side of the mounting section 130. This allows multiple types of medicine to be inserted and removed while positioned in front of the mounting section 130.

In the drug supply device according to this embodiment, the second drug is prescribed more frequently than the first drug. Drugs that are prescribed more frequently can be taken in and out more quickly by placing them around the mounting section 130 and manually taking them in and out, rather than by automatic transport.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the transport unit 400 transports the first medicine based on prescription data. This allows medicines that are prone to being mixed up, such as medicines with similar names or medicines that differ only in weight specifications, to be prepared based on prescription data, thereby preventing medicine from being mixed up.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the first medicine is contained in the case 300. The transport unit 400 transports the first medicine contained in the case 300. This makes it easier to transport the first medicine compared to storing the first medicine in the first storage unit while it is contained in a medicine box, and also prevents the first medicine contained in the case 300 from falling out of the first storage unit in the event of an earthquake, etc.

In this embodiment of the drug supply device, the multiple mounting sections 130 can be individually switched between a state in which drugs can be inserted into or removed from the selected cases 300a placed therein. The transport unit 400 transports the selected cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the first prescription data from the case rack 200 to the multiple mounting sections 130. If there is a specific mounting section 130 among the multiple mounting sections 130 that does not have a selected case 300a placed therein, the transport unit 400 transports at least one selected case 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the second prescription data from the case rack 200 to the specific mounting section 130. The specific mounting section 130 remains in a state in which drugs to be supplied included in the second prescription data cannot be inserted into or removed from at least one selected case 300a until a completion operation is performed indicating the completion of the insertion and removal of drugs to be supplied included in the first prescription data into or from the selected case 300a. This allows drugs to be inserted into or removed from each case 300 without error and in a short time.

In the drug supply device according to this embodiment, each of the multiple mounting sections 130 on which a selection case 300a containing a drug to be supplied included in a single prescription data is mounted is switched to a state in which drugs can be inserted or removed. This prevents drugs related to different prescription data from being mistakenly inserted or removed.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, among the multiple placement sections, the placement sections on which the selection cases are placed are selectively switched one by one to a state in which medicine can be inserted or removed. This makes it possible to prevent the mistaken insertion or removal of medicine.

In the drug supply device according to this embodiment, the display units 160 corresponding to the mounting units 130 on which the selection cases 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the first prescription data are mounted have the same display mode, but have a different display mode from the display unit 160 corresponding to the mounting unit 130 on which at least one selection case 300a containing the drugs to be supplied included in the second prescription data is mounted. This makes it easy to identify the selection case 300a into which drugs are to be inserted or removed.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the multiple display units are displayed on the image display unit in a manner that corresponds to the arrangement of the multiple placement units 130. This makes it easy to identify the placement unit 130 on which the selection case 300a for inserting and removing medicines is placed.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the position determination unit determines the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200. The case rack 200 is configured so that the multiple cases 300 can be manually inserted and removed. Each of the multiple cases 300 is provided with an information carrier that holds identification information. The position determination unit determines the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200 by acquiring the identification information from the information carrier of each of the multiple cases 300 while moving along the arrangement of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200. This makes it possible to determine the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200 with a simple configuration.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the position detection unit is provided in the transport unit 400. This eliminates the need to provide a drive mechanism for moving the position detection unit separately from the transport unit 400, simplifying the configuration of the medicine supply device.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the case rack 200 is divided into multiple compartments. The case rack 200 includes multiple opening/closing units and multiple second opening/closing detection units 250. The multiple opening/closing units can individually open and close the multiple compartments. The multiple second opening/closing detection units 250 detect the open/closed states of the multiple opening/closing units in a one-to-one correspondence. In a compartment opened by an opening/closing unit among the multiple opening/closing units in an open state, the multiple cases 300 can be manually inserted or removed. In a compartment closed by an opening/closing unit among the multiple opening/closing units in a closed state, the multiple cases 300 cannot be manually inserted or removed. The position determination unit determines the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200 by moving along the arrangement of the multiple cases 300 only in compartments where the multiple second opening/closing detection units 250 have detected an open opening/closing unit in the compartment and where the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in that compartment have not yet been determined after this detection. This allows the storage positions of multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200 to be determined in a short amount of time by determining the positions only for sections containing cases 300 whose storage positions have not yet been determined.

The medicine supply device according to this embodiment can be switched between a first mode in which the selected case 300a can be transported by the transport unit 400, and a second mode in which the transport unit 400 is stopped and multiple cases 300 can be manually inserted and removed from the case rack 200. When switched from the second mode to the first mode, the position recognition unit is driven to recognize the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200. This allows the storage positions of the multiple cases 300 in the case rack 200 to be recognized when the transport unit 400 begins transporting the selected case 300a.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, when switching from the second mode to the first mode, if an instruction to transport the selected case 300a by the transport unit 400 has been issued, the position determination unit may not be driven, and the transport of the selected case 300a by the transport unit 400 may be given priority. This reduces the waiting time for the position determination unit to determine the position of the case 300.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, it may be possible to set whether or not the position recognition unit is driven when switching from the second mode to the first mode. By setting the position recognition unit not to be driven when switching from the second mode to the first mode, if the position of the case 300 is thoroughly maintained by returning the case 300 to its original position in the case rack 200 when inserting or removing the case 300 from the front of the case rack 200, it is possible to reduce the wasted waiting time for the position recognition unit to recognize the position of the case 300.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the multiple cases 300 are arranged in the case rack 200 along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. The case rack 200 is configured so that the multiple cases 300 can be manually inserted and removed from the front of the case rack 200. The case rack 200 includes a workbench 230 that is used when inserting and removing medicines into and from the multiple cases 300 in front of the case rack 200. This makes it easy to insert and remove medicines into and from the cases 300 even in front of the case rack 200.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the workbench 230 is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it protrudes forward from the front surface of the case rack 200, and a second state in which it is positioned rearward from the front surface of the case rack 200. This allows the workbench 230 to be used only when needed, and prevents the workbench 230 from getting in the way in front of the case rack 200 when it is not needed.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the case rack 200 is formed with a storage space S230 for storing the work table 230. In the second state, the work table 230 is stored in the storage space S230. This allows the work table 230 to be stored within the case rack 200 when it is not needed, so that it does not get in the way.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the work table 230 can be pushed into the storage space S230 and pulled out from the storage space S230. This allows the work table 230 to be easily switched between the first state and the second state.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the work table 230 includes a push-open mechanism that urges the work table 230 to move forward when the front surface of the work table 230 is pressed. This eliminates the need to provide a handle on the work table 230, and ensures that the work table 230 does not get in the way in front of the case rack 200.

In the medicine supply device according to this embodiment, the transport unit 400 is provided so that it can move behind the case rack 200. This prevents the transport unit 400 from getting in the way when medicines are inserted into or removed from the cases 300 in front of the case rack 200.

The medicine supply device according to this embodiment can be switched between a first mode in which the selected case 300a can be transported by the transport unit 400, and a second mode in which the transport unit 400 is stopped and multiple cases 300 can be manually inserted and removed from the case rack 200. Only in the first mode can medicines be inserted and removed from the selected case 300a placed on the mounting section 130. Only in the second mode can medicines be inserted and removed from the multiple cases 300 stored in the case rack 200. This allows the user to select whether to insert and remove medicines from the case 300 on the mounting section 130 or the case rack 200.

The medicine supply device according to this embodiment further includes an inventory quantity grasping unit 91 that grasps the inventory quantity of medicines. In both the first mode and the second mode, when a completion operation indicating the completion of taking in or taking out the medicine to be supplied, which is included in the prescription data, is performed, the inventory quantity grasping unit 91 updates the inventory quantity of the medicine to be supplied based on the prescription data. This makes it easy to grasp the inventory quantity of medicines.

In the second mode, the medicine supply device according to this embodiment can simultaneously perform a completion operation indicating the completion of the insertion and removal of medicines to be supplied that are included in multiple prescription data. This makes it easy to grasp the inventory quantity of medicines that have been manually inserted or removed.

The medicine supply device according to this embodiment further includes a recording unit 92 that records the history of medicine insertion and removal. The recording unit 92 records the prescription data and implementation mode information included in the prescription data, which indicates whether the medicine to be supplied was inserted or removed in the first mode or the second mode, in association with each other. This makes it possible to later confirm whether the medicine was inserted or removed in the first mode or the second mode.

(Aspect)
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described exemplary embodiment includes the following aspects.

(Section 1)
In one aspect, the drug supply device comprises:
a case rack for storing a plurality of cases in which medicines are contained;
a placement section on which a selected case selected from the plurality of cases can be placed, and which is used to put the medicine into and take out the medicine from the selected case;
a transport unit that transports the selected cases between the case rack and the placement unit;
a control unit for controlling the driving of the transport unit,
the plurality of cases are arranged at specified positions along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction in the case rack,
the case rack is configured so that the plurality of cases can be manually inserted and removed from the front of the case rack,
the case rack is provided with a position detection unit that detects whether each of the plurality of cases is positioned rearward of the specified position,
When the position detection unit detects the presence of a case among the plurality of cases that is located behind the specified position, the control unit stops the vertical and horizontal driving of the transport unit.

(Section 2)
2. The drug supply device according to claim 1,
The position detection unit detects whether each of the plurality of cases is located behind the specified position by transmitting and receiving light that passes behind the specified position.

(Section 3)
3. The drug supply device according to claim 2,
The position detection units are arranged along the vertical or horizontal arrangement of the plurality of cases.

(Section 4)
4. The drug supply device according to claim 3,
the position detection unit includes a photoelectric sensor and a reflector,
The photoelectric sensor includes an irradiating unit that irradiates light onto the reflecting plate, and a light receiving unit that receives the light reflected from the reflecting plate.

The above-disclosed embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted solely by the above-disclosed embodiments, but should be defined based on the claims. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included.

1 Medicine supply device, 10 First proximity sensor, 11 Position detection sensor, 12 Electromagnet, 13 Second proximity sensor, 90 Control unit, 91 Inventory quantity grasping unit, 92 Recording unit, 100 Dispensing table unit, 110, 210, 410 Housing, 111, 131h, 132b, 222 Opening, 112 Storage space, 113 Guide rail, 114 Support roller, 115 Contact portion, 116 Pressing roller, 120 Dispensing table, 130 Placement portion, 310b Bottom portion, 131 Base portion, 131a Dog, 131p Adsorbed portion, 131r Roller, 132 Wall surface portion, 132c, 321 Protrusion, 132d, 313 Protruding portion, 133 Transparent plate, 134 Retaining ring, 140 Lower storage space, 150 Upper storage space, 160 display unit, 161 indicator light, 170 touch panel, 180, 470 code reader, 190 printer, 200, 200a case rack, 220 shelf board unit, 221 guide wall, 223 stopper, 224 guard, 224b contact surface unit, 225 support plate, 226, 228, 430 pivot shaft, 227 torsion spring, 230 work table, 231 push-open mechanism, 240 opening/closing door, 250 second opening/closing detection unit, 251 first opening/closing detection unit, 260 lock unit, 270 position detection unit, 271 photoelectric sensor, 272 reflector, 300 case, 300a selection case, 310 case body, 310f front wall unit, 310r rear wall unit, 310s side wall unit, 311 Transparent support portion, 312 stepped portion, 314 recessed portion, 314f front wall surface, 314s side wall surface, 315, 316 groove portion, 317 slit, 318 engagement portion, 320 fractional part storage portion, 330 partition plate, 340, 350 identification code, 400 transport unit, 420 motor, 440 support arm, 450 claw portion, 460 push plate, 490 abutment portion, 500 horizontal movement mechanism, 600 vertical movement mechanism, 630 connection attachment, 700 commercial power supply, 710 first power supply portion, 720 second power supply portion, 730 relay, 740 load portion, PLD, PLU, PRD, PRU partition, R130 placement portion area, R160 display area, R400 mode switching area, RC selection area, RD Prescription data area, RE completion area, S230 storage space.

Claims (5)

a case rack for storing a plurality of cases in which medicines are contained;
a placement section on which a selected case selected from the plurality of cases can be placed, and which is used to put the medicine into and take out the medicine from the selected case;
a transport unit that is movably provided behind the case rack and transports the selected case between the case rack and the placement unit;
the plurality of cases are arranged along an imaginary plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the case rack,
the case rack is configured so that the plurality of cases can be manually inserted and removed from the front of the case rack,
the case rack is provided with stoppers that regulate the position of each of the plurality of cases in the front-to-rear direction when each of the plurality of cases is inserted into the case rack from the front, and guards that regulate each of the plurality of cases from climbing over the stoppers ,
the stopper is capable of contacting the bottom of each of the plurality of cases;
the guard is capable of abutting against each of the plurality of cases from above,
the guard is configured to be displaceable between a first position that prevents each of the plurality of cases from climbing over the stopper and a second position that allows the selected case to pass over the stopper,
A drug supply device in which the guard is displaced to the second position so that the selected case can pass over the stopper when the transport unit lifts the rear of the selected case stored in the case rack and pulls it out toward the rear of the case rack . The medicine supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the guard is configured to be displaceable from the first position in a hanging state to the second position by pivoting forward. the guard has a contact surface portion that can contact each of the plurality of cases from above,
The medicine supply device according to claim 2 , wherein the contact surface portion is inclined so as to be positioned upward as it goes forward when the guard is in the first position. A drug supply device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transport unit displaces the guard from the first position to the second position when lifting the rear side of the selected case stored in the case rack and pulling it out toward the rear of the case rack. the transport unit has an abutment portion that abuts against the guard,
The drug supply device described in claim 4, wherein when the transport unit lifts the rear side of the selected case stored in the case rack and pulls the selected case toward the rear of the case rack, the abutment portion abuts against the guard to displace it to the second position, and then pulls the selected case toward the rear of the case rack.